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Thread: 2009 Chrysler 200C EV Concept sedan

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    Default 2009 Chrysler 200C EV Concept sedan

    2009 Chrysler 200C EV Concept sedan

    Chrysler 200C: America’s new BMW 3-Series rival?
    Jez Spinks in Detroit, drive.com.au, January 16, 2009


    If Chrysler staves off financial collapse, the American car maker has bold plans to take on the BMW 3-Series with a production version of its 200C Detroit motor show star.


    2009 Chrysler 200C EV Concept sedan

    The 200C concept is one of the show’s major surprises, with looks as striking as its bigger brother, the gangsta-style 300C.

    Chrysler co-president Jim Press told industry journal Automotive News in late 2008 that his company had the potential to be “the Mercedes or BMW of America”.

    "If there's one company in America that can build high-craftsmanship, innovative vehicles, it's Chrysler."

    Chrysler says the 200C could go into production if there’s positive public feedback to the car.

    “We think we pride ourselves on bringing a lot of concept cars to reality,” says Chrysler’s international sales boss, Thomas Hausch. “From a conclusion point of view, it seems a natural thing [to put it into production]. But we need to see the [public] feedback first.”

    Chrysler already has an existing mid-size car, the unloved Sebring, though the 200C is slighter bigger and – crucially, if it were to be a 3-Series rival – is rear-wheel drive.

    The 200C show car is built on the Dodge Challenger’s platform, itself a shortened version of the 300C’s (old Mercedes E-Class) underpinnings.

    Hausch says the two cars could co-exist, with the 200C carrying a higher premium because of its more sophisticated drivetrain and higher-quality interior.

    “If you look at the 200C, it’s very different from the Sebring,” he says. “It’s rear-wheel-drive and has a totally reconfigurable interior. It would be a completely different car. As you can imagine, that kind of car would not go for as an aggressive price as the Sebring."

    The 200C was unveiled as a “range extender” electric car concept, claimed to run purely on electricity for 64km before a small petrol engine extends the range to 644km by recharging the battery pack on the go. Chrysler says, however, that the mid-sizer can comfortably accommodate a six-cylinder engine as well as the company’s famous Hemi V8.

    A source close to Chrysler told Drive that the new 200C would be the perfect vehicle to debut the American car maker’s new ‘Phoenix’ V6 engine. The new six-cylinder, which includes cylinder-deactivation technology that can allow the engine to run on only three cylinders, has yet to be used by Chrysler.

    “The Phoenix V6 is waiting for the right product, and the 200C looks like that product,” says the insider. “The engine is available in different sizes, from 2.5 to 4.0 litres, and will eventually be used across all three Chrysler brands (which also include Jeep and Dodge).

    Drive’s source says the 200C could go on sale within two years.

    “If you look closely at the 200C concept, a lot of the detail is production ready.”

    It's possible Chrysler could pitch the 200C against the Toyota Camry if it decides to replace the Sebring.

    Chrysler, however, is considered to be in the weakest financial position of America’s ‘big three’ car makers. It is currently being propped up by American tax-payers’ money after the US Government agreed in late 2008 to grant a multi-billion-dollar rescue package to both General Motors and Chrysler.

    Chrysler has confirmed a new small car for 2010, however, which will be built by Nissan. The Japanese car maker will get a ute in return.

    Chrysler says it expects the small car to be sold in Australia.

    Happy Motoring
    duglet
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  2. #2
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    but...its still a Chrysler haha it actually doesn't look too bad but doubt its competition for a M3

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